Conveyor fiber cleaner



Aug. 15, 1961 G. R. RussUM CONVEYOR FIBER CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1958 G. R. RUSSUM CONVEYOR FIBER CLEANER Aug. 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23 1958 'Tlc'- Z..-

INVENTOR @Mazen fsa/w .tends .longitudinally of the;housing United SeteslefQf This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of fibrous material and particularly to the air through each of the endless screens.

'72,996,183 Patented Augr 15p 'ice A 21 the rst endless screen and foam rubber strips to conne the fibrous material in the compartments betweenr the adj jacent reaches of the endless screens during passage through the housing. A plurality of air knives are mountf ed within the housing and are adapted to direct blasts of As the-'fibrous material moves through the housing, the air knives act removal of finely divided unwanted particles such as dust from the fibrous material. The method and apparatus is especially suited for use in the cleaning of asbestos fiber to remove unwanted particles, which term is used to include items such as dust, dirt, foreign matter andthe like, therefrom `and is also intended for use in separating asbestos fibers of various lengths ever, the method and apparatus disclosed herein may be used to air wash or gas wash many other products such as seeds, chemicals, grain, food products and other similar materials.v

Inthe milling of siderable quantities of unwanted particles become intermixed with the liber. The presence of these unwanted particles renders the asbestos fiber undesirable for many commercial uses, making it highly desirable to produce clean fibers. extremely difficult owing to the relatively fragile nature of the asbestos fiber wherein harsh mechanical handling tends to injure the fibers and reduce their quality' and usefulness. upon its length, extreme `care must to shorten the length of the fiber in removing'the dust. Afl'if so, for successful commercialability, it is necessary that the clean fibers-be of specifiedlengths. The most desired end product is one in appreciably. Therefore, in the asbestos fibers can be cleaned-'and at the same time classified-into specific lengths is the objeCt ofj'highly intensified research.

It is an object of this invention to provide a'method and apparatus for the cleaning`- of fibrous material which avoids the harsh mechanical handlinguof the fibers. It is another object of this invention/to provide a method and apparatus for the trea ent off'ibrous material which utilizes a pneumatic system fibrous material.

It is another object of this invention toprovide a meth;- od and apparatus for the cleaning offibrous material 'in which the fibers may be classified into various lengths during the cleaning operation. I

Briefly stated, the foregoing in the instant invention by a plurality of air knives acting on the fibrous material alternately from opposite directions to thoroughly clean, aerifyY and classify the fibrous material. The above process is carried out lessentially within a housing that is connected 4to source. A fiat endless screen passes through the'hous'- ing and is mounted for movement 'over' a pair of rollers each of which are supported outside the housing. lThe first endless screen has a pair of endless lfoam rubber strips secured to the outer each edge portion. A plurality of spaced transverse 'foam rubber strips are secured to the outer surface of :the screen so that each transverse strip connects the` inner edges of the endless foam rubber strips to form therewith a plurality of compartments. end of the upper reach of the firstl endless screen deposits a measured quantity of the fibrous material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto into the compartments. A second `endless screen ex- Since the value of the asbestosberdepends V`tue-exercised so as not for classification. Hotvasbestos fibers in the dry state`con- 'Y The removal of the unwanted particles is which the fiber lengths do' not vary a method and apparatus where'v to thoroughly clean'the i objects are accomplished a vacuum creating t.

surface of the screen adjacent A feed hopper adjacent one and cooperates with on the material alternately from opposite directionsto free' the unwanted particles therefrom and to clean the endless screens. The freed particles pass through the endless screens and are removed through the housing. At the other end of the upper reach of the first endless screen, an aspirator removes the clean fibers. 'f The invention will be more fully understood and further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention andthe accompanying drawings in which: t

FIG. l is a side elevation with apparatus of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the plane passing through line 2-2 of FIG. l; FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of part of the lower conveyor belt; and Y FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation ofv a part of some of the air knives.

Referring to the drawing, there is disclosed in FIG. 1., a generally rectangular housing which is connected to a vacuum creating source (not shown) by ducts-11 vand 1 2. Each end Wall 13 and 14 of the housing 10 is provided with openings 15V and 16 allowing for passage of an endless screen 17 which is entrained around the rollers 18 and 19. The roller 18 is secured to a shaft 20 journalled for rotation in suitably supported conventional journal boxes. A pulley 21 attached tol the end of the shaft and rotating therewith is connected by a drive chain 22 to a source of power 23 mounted on -a fixed support 24 to rotate the roller 1S. The endless screen 17 is moved by the rotation of the roller 18. The other lroller 19, adjacent Athe end wall 13, is secured toa shaft -25 journalled for-'rotation Iin suitably supported conventional journal boxes. Endless foam rubber strips 26" and 27 are secured adjacent each edge portion to the outer surface of the screen 17. A plurality of transverse foam rubber strips ZS secured to the outer surface of the screen 17 join the inner edges of strips 26 and 27 at spaced'intervals to form compartments 29 on the outer surface of the screen 17. A feedhopper 30 is conventionally supported adjacent the end -Wall 13 and above one end of the upper reach of the'endless screen 17 The material to be acted upon is stored in the hopper 30. A rotary valve 31 in the hopper 30 allows -a measured amount of the fibrous material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging there to be deposited on the upper reach ofthe endless screen 17 Within the compartments Z9.

Asecond endless screen 35 is entrained around-the rollers 36 `and 37 for movement within the housing 10. The endless screen 35 extends longitudinallyl of the housing 10 and is adjacent and parallel to theupper reach of the endless screen 17. The lower reachofv the endless screen 3S is spaced from the upper reach ofthe endless screen i7 a predetermined distance so as to contact and compress slightly the free upper surfaces-ofthe foam rubber strips 26, 27 `and 218. The rollers 36 andy 37 are secured to shafts 38 and 39 which are journalled for rotation in suitably supported conventional journal boxes. The endless yscreen 35 is moved by frictional engagement with the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28.

- Within the housing 10, the lower reach of the endless screen 35 is maintained substantially in one plane by bearing against a series of rollers di), the shafts of which parts in section of the 3 are journalled for rotation in longitudinally extending fixed angle bars 41 supported on legs 42. The angle bars 41 are mounted for vertical adjustment to vary the predetermined distance between the adjacent reaches of .the endless screens. The upper reach of the endless screen I7 is maintained substantially in one plane by bearing against a series of rollers 43, the shafts of which' are journalled for rotation in longitudinally extending xed angle bars 44 supported on the legs 42. The roller 36 lis so mounted to compress the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 to a predetermined distance apart as the endless screen 17 together with the strips 26, 2.7 and 28 pass under the roller 38. The rollers 40 and 43 cooperate to maintain the adjacent reaches of the endless screens 17 and 35 at this predetermined distance apart as the endless screens pass longitudinally through the housing 10. As indicated on the left side of FIG. l, as the lower reachpasses from beneath the roll 37, the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 return to their normal thickness. During passage through the housing, the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 resiliently urge the belts 17 and 35 against the rollers 43 and 40 respectively to maintain the belts Vat the predetermined distance apart. Thus, the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 cooperate with the endless screens l17 and 35 to form an air seal for the compartments 29 between the adjacent reaches of the endless screens. K The endless screen 17 is guided for movement over its associated rolls 18 and 19 by an adjustably mounted guide and tensioning roll 45 which is rotatably mounted oma shaft 451. Each end of the shaft 451 is mounted for yvertical adjustment in a slot 46 in the brackets 47 supported by the legs 42. Similarly, the endless screen 35 is guided over its associaed rolls 36 and 37 by a guide and tensioning roller 48 which is rotatably mounted on ,the Shaft 49. Each end of the shaft 49 is mounted for vertical adjustment in a slot 51 in the brackets 52 supported by the bars 41. Mounted in fixed position within the housing and located between the upper and lower reaches of the endless screen 17 is a header 55 which is connected by a duct 56 to a blower (not shown) supplying variably con- `trolled pressurized air. Protruding from the upper surface of the header 55 are a plurality of air knives 57. If desired, the air knives 57 may consist of a slotted block, as shown, a plurality of jets or a plurality of nozzles. `As shown in FIG. l, these air knives 57 are arranged in groups of four spaced a predetermined distance apart. ,Each group of air knives 57 is positioned between adjacent rollers 43. Each air knife 57, as viewed in FIG. 4, is substantially triangularly shaped in cross section with a base portion 58 opening into the header 55. Each air knive 57 gradually tapers toward its apex portion to an upper edge having a reduced slot 59. The slot 59 of each air knife 57 is positioned just beneath the upper reach of the endless screen 17 and directs a flow of pressurized air upwardly through the endless screen 17. l Another header 60 is secured in position within the housing 10 between the upper and lower reaches of the endless screen 35. Duct 61 connects the header 60 to a blower supplying variably controlled pressurized air (not shown). Protruding from the lower surface of the header 60 are a plurality of air knives 62. As shown in FIG. l the air knives 62 are in groups of four with each group positioned between adjacent rollers `40. Each knife 62 is similar to each air knife 57 and has an opening 63 leading into the header 60 and then the opening gradually tapers to a reduced slot 64 which is positioned adjacent the lower reach of the endless screen 35 and directs a flow of pressurized air downwardly through the endless screen 35.

The longitudinal axes of the air knives 57 and 62 are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the endless screens 17 and 35. The slots 59 and 64 extend approximately the full d is- Vticles therefrom by its own tance between the inner edges of the foam rubber strips 26 and 27. The groups of air knives 57 and 62 have staggered centers so that a vertical plane passing through one of the air knives 57 would pass approximately through the mid point of the distance `between adjacent air knives 62. In view of the staggered relationship of the air knives 57'and 62, the fibrous material in the compartment 29 will be alternatelyV subjected to the blast issuing from the air knives 57 and 62 during passage through the housing 10.

An aspirator 65 is mounted by conventional supports (not shown) adjacent the end wall 14. The inlet opening 66 of the aspirator is positioned directly above the upper reach of the endless screen 17 as it passes around the roller 18 so that'the clean fibers are drawn up through the aspirator 65. Also, a manometer 67 is connected to the header 60 for ascertaining the operating pressure therein. A suction box 68, mounted adjacent the roll 19 and above the lower reach of the screen 17, cleans the inner surface of the endless screen 17.

In operation, the endless screens 17 and 35 are put into motion and the. various blowers started. Fibrous material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto is deposited in measured quantities from the hopper 30 into the compartments 29 on the upper reach of the endless screen 17. As the endless screen 17 passes beneath the roller 36, the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 are compressed. The endless screen 35 under the restraining action of the rollers 40 thereafter cooperates with the endless screen 17 under the restraining action of the rollers 43 and the foam rubber strips 26, 27 and 28 to confine the fibrous material within the compartments 29. The endless screen 35 is moved by the endless screen 17 through the frictional contact with the foam rubber strips. As the fibrous material reaches the rst air knife 57, Yit is acted upon by the blast emanating therefrom. The fibrous material is lifted from the endless screen 17 by the air from the knife 57 and pushed against the screen 35. This action frees a portion of the unwanted particles in the fibrous material which is then held against the screen 35 by the vacuum. in the housing .10 while the unwanted particles that have passed through the screen 35 are removed through the housing 10 and exhaust ducts 11 and 12. As the fibrous material on the endless screen 35 then reaches the rst air knife 62, it is acted upon by the blast emanating therefrom and pushed olf the endless screen 35 downwardly against the endless screen 17. More unwanted particles are thereby freed by this action of the fibrous material and passed through the endless screen 17. Each air knife 57 and 62 acts to clean the outside of the associated endless screen 17 or 35 and to propelthe brous material against the other endless screen 17 or 35. The above process is constantly repeated by the air knives 57 and 62 as the material moves through the housing 10. The fibrous material is moved first against one endless screen and then against the other. This repeated agitation alternately from opposite directions frees substantially all of .the unwanted particles in the fibrous material. These unwanted particles pass through the endless screen 17 and 35 and are removed by the housing 10 and exhaust ducts 11 and 12. As the cleaned fibrous material in each compartment 29 passes over the roller 18, it is removed by the aspirator 65 to be collected at a convenient location.

The motion of the fibrous material within the compartment 29 is not limited to the direct movement caused by the air knives 5.7 and 62. The repeated agitations alternately from opposite sides cause the fibrous material to be subjected to a tumbling, turbulent action wherein each individual flber is set into motion to free unwanted parmotion and its contact with other bers and the endless screens 17 and 35. This tumbling, turbulent action is such that most probably each individual fiber will contact the endless screens 17 and 3 5 at least once during passage through the housing fthe above apparatus are given and it is not intended to limit the inventionthereto. 4.

1110'. The netresultis thatduringthepassage through the housing 10, the fibrous material is so thoroughly agitated that lsubstantially all :the unwanted particles are iireed therefrom and are removed after passing through the :enddess screens 4by the housing 10 and exhaust ducts 11 and 12. After passage through the apparatus the A'fibrous `material passes under the roller 37 as a vfine -frothy mass yof clean fibers of a desired grade to vbe removed by the aspirator '65.

In addition to its cleaning characteristics, the apparatus may also function to classify the nbrous material .into .a desired grade. The classification is A'accomplished by having endless screens of various `sizes .and mesh. For aparticular grade of fiber, an endless screen of predetermined s'ize and vmesh are employed. If fdesired, a plurality of cleaners could be used Vin succession 'to properly clean and classify a quantity of fibrous material into a 'plurality of lgrades in which each grade would consist of thoroughly cleaned iibers.

During one operation y'of the apparatus desirable results were produced with 'the variable elements therein .having the .following characteristics. :Each endless :screen was anadetfrom 40 x 40 screening. Each of the foam -rubber Strips 26 'and 27 were 'l1/z inches thick .and .2 inches lin lwidth rand were cemented lalong both edges tothe entire dength ofthe endless screen :17 so .that the inner edges of the Yfoam :rubber `strips were .12;inches apart. The `transverse :foam rubber .strips 28 were .L1/' inches thick and one ,'inch lin width and Vwere 'cemented to the belt v17 `'spaced every 18 inches. The lair ,knives l57 and :62 were triangular :in cross lsection Iand .four inches in height vwith the base opening being one inch wide andthe apex ,open- 'ing 37%2 ,inch'wide Air pressure to the 'air knives 57 "and '62` was approximately 0.5 p.-s.i:g. The blower vconnected -through ducts 11 and 12 was :of sufficient Icapacity -to maintain a negative pressure in the housing 10. The rend- .iess `belts 17 and 35 were moved at the rate of 54 ffgpm. Asbestos iber of commercial grade 6D20 Canadian .As bestes Classiiication was `fed 4into compartments 29 ,from

Ythe hopper 30 and 'the aspirator v65 removed vthoroughly cleaned fiber lof commercial grade 4D Canadian Asbestos Classification. It is to be understood that the details .of for illustration ,purposes only,

Obviously, many features may be varied to obtain clean and classiiied iibers of varying degrees. The width `and length of the endless lscreens and .also the distance between the adjacent reaches of the endless screens may be varied to Aobtain a desired product. The speed 'of the endless screens and thepressure to the air knivesmay also be varied to obtain a product of the `desired quality. As previously mentioned, the size and mesh of the endless screens may :also be varied. Many combinations 'of the above variables may =be made to produceclean and classii.

iied iibers as desired.

,It .is =to be appreciated that `.the above ydescription .is ,given for illustration of the preferred embodiment only :and vitis not -intended -to limit the invention thereto. It is contemplated that the invention disclosed herein may be advantageously utilized with any type of apparatus where- .in the material `having unwanted particles intermixed 1therewithis moved in a predetermined :general direction to labe progressively subjected to the repeated .agitations alternately from opposite directions so that .the tumbling.

turbulent action resulting therefrom .frees the unwanted Aparticles from the material. Thus, .it is to be understood that the details, explained above, :need not be strictly adhered Ato and that various 'changes Aand rrnodications .may

.suggest themselves to one skilled Vin the art, `all [falling -within the scope of ythe invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1.. A method fior treating material having unwanted Aparticles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising placing said material in a position to be moved,

contini-ng said material Awithin .a predetermined space .'during movement thereof, said predetermined ispace bieing defined by at least vtwo foraminous Walls, subject-ing said material to repeated agitations 'throughout said space 'to transpose said material r)from a 4position :contiguous to a section of one of 'said Afora'nlinous 'walls 'to :another posi- .tion contiguous to a section of the other VIof said Tioraminous walls substantially opposite to fsaid fiirst mentioned position to "free lsaid unwanted particles therefrom, removing the 'freed unwanted particles 'from fsaid space, and collecting 'the treated material.

'-2. A method for treating ymaterial fhaving unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging 'thereto fco'mprising placing said material fin afposition to 'be moved, rconfining said material Within 'a predetermined space during movement thereof, said predetermined space being -dened by at least two lioraminous walls, subjecting said 'material to 'repeated pneumatic fagita'tions throughout said space to transpose said material 4from la 'position fcontiguous to a section of lone of said forarninous 'walls *to vanother position contiguous vto a'section lof the :otherof said toraminous walls substantially opposite 'to said rst mentioned lposition "to free said unwanted particles 'there- "from, removing `the freed unwanted particles Efrom 'said space, and collecting the treated material.

-3. A method Ifor treating iibrous material .having unwanted particles "intermixed therewith and attached vthereto comprising placing said fibrous material in a position fto he moved, coniinng said vbrous material within a predetermined space, vsaid `predetermined space A'being fde'ned 'by at 'least "two `forarnincms walls, moving said fibrous :material, subjecting said moving `7fibrous material `to .repeated agitations throughout said space alternately from 'opposite `directions to transpose said fibrous materia-l from a posi- -t'ion contiguous to a section o'f one of said "fora-minous walls to another position contiguous to a section 'of `the other Aof said foraminous vwalls substantially opposite 'to -said rst mentioned position to free said un-wanted particles therefrom, removing the vfreed unwanted particles from said space, and collecting the 'treated iibrous material.

4. A method for "treating fibrous material having `unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising placing said ltibrous 'material in a position to be moved, confining 'said fibrous material within a predetermined space, said predetermined space ibeing defined 'by at least two lforarninous walls, moving said iibrous material, subjecting 'said moving fibrous material to krepeated pneumatic Yagitations throughout vsaid space 'alternately from opposite vdirections to 'transpose said brous material from a hrst position contiguous 'to "a section of one yof said forarninous walls to a second position contiguous 'to `a section of the lother of said dior-aminous walls 1substantially opposite Vto `said -iirst position to 'free said unwanted particles therefrom, Iremoving the freed unwanted particles from -s'aid space, vretaining said fibrous material in 'said 'second position between said lrepeated agitations, and collecting `the treated "fibrous lmaterial.

5. An apparatus for treating material having Aunwanted particles intermiXed therewith and clinging 'thereto com- 'pr'ising ra foraminous 'compartment 'having at least 'two foraminous walls, means ffor depositing va YQuantity 'of material `into Ysaid compartment, Asaid compartment being adapted 'to 'confine 'the material Within 'said compartment, means 'for lmoving :said compartment, Va plurality yof 'pneumatic `agitators, said compartment being :adapted to be subjected 'to the 'action of said 4agitators during movement thereof, Vsaid pneumatic agitators being adapted to 'act on -said material in `said vcompartment alternately JVAfrom opposite directions during movement of said compartment to transpose said :fibrous material from a position contiguous "to 'a section of one of 'said vtoraminous walls to another position contiguous to a section f the other of said foraminous walls *substantially opposite to said first .mentioned position to free said unwanted particles from said material so that the freed unwanted particles will passthrough `said foraminous compartment, means for -removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said Iforaminous compartment, and means -for collecting the treated material.

6. An apparatus for treating material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising a first screen, a second screen mounted above and adjacent said first screen, said second screen being spaced from said first screen, means for depositing a -quantity of material on said first screen, means for moving said material in a-pr'edetermined general direction, means for confining said material between said screens during movement thereof, a plurality of pneumatic agita- ;tors, said pneumatic agitators being adapted to act on isaid material during movement of the material in said predetermined general direction from one side of said apparatus to the other side of said apparatus to transpose lsaid fibrous material from ya 4position contiguous to one 'of said screens to another position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said first mentionedposition to free said unwanted particles from said material so that the `freed unwanted particles will pass through said screens, means for removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said screens, and means for collecting the treated material. 7. An apparatus for treating material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto com- .prising a first screen, a second screen mounted above and adjacent said first screen, said second screen being spaced ,from said first screen, means for depositing a quantity .of material on said first screen, means for moving said material in a predetermined general direction, means for confining said material between said screens during movement thereof, a plurality of agitators, said agitators adapted to act on said material alternately from opposite directions during movement of the material in said predetermined general direction lfrom one side of said apparatus to the other side of said apparatus to transpose said brous material from a first position contiguous to one of said screens to a second position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said first position to free said unwanted particles from said material and to clean said screens so that the freed unwanted particles will pass through said screens, means for removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said screens, means for retaining said fibrous material in said second position between said repeated agitations,

and means for collecting the treated material.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said plurality of agitators comprises a plurality of first air knives mounted below said first screen, said first air knives being adapted to direct air under pressure through said first screen and against said materialV and a plurality of second air knives mounted above said second screen, said second air knives being adapted to direct air under pressure through said second screen and against said material.

9. Apparatus for treating material -having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising a first endless moving screen having an upper reach, a second endless moving screen having a lower reach, said second endless moving screen being positioned vand arranged so that its said lower reach is adjacent and moves in the same direction as the said upper reach of said first endless moving screen, said adjacent reaches being spaced from each other a predetermined distance, means for depositing said material on one end of the upper reach of said first endless moving screen, means for confining said material between said adjacent reaches of said endless screens, a plurality of agitators, said agitators being adapted to act on said material during movement with said endless. moving screens to transpose said fibrous material from' aV firstposition contiguous to one of said screens to a second position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said first position to free said unwanted particles from said material and to clean said endless moving screens so that the freed unwanted particles will pass through said endless moving screens, means for removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said endless moving screens, means for retaining said fibrous material in said second position between said repeeated agitations, and means at the other end of the upper reach of said first endless moving screen for collecting the treated material.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said confining means comprises an endless foam rubber strip secured lto each edge portion of said first endless moving screen.

means for retaining said first endless moving screen generally in a common plane, and means for retaining said second endless moving screen in contiguous relationship with said foam rubber strips.

ll. Apparatus for treating material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising a first endless moving screen, a second endless moving screen, said second endless moving screen being positioned so that the lower reach of said second endless moving screen is adjacent and moves in the same direction as the upper reach of said first endless moving screen, said adjacent reaches being spaced from each other a predetermined distance, means for depositing said material on one end of the upper reach of said first endless moving screen, means for confining said material between said adjacent reaches of said endless screens, a plurality of pneumatic agitators, said pneumatic agitators being adapted to act on said material alternately from opposite directions during movement with said screens to transpose said fibrous material from a position contiguous to one of said screens to another position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said first mentioned position to free said unwanted particles from said material and to clean said screens so that the freed unwanted particles will pass through said screens, means for removing said unwanted particles passing through said screen, and means at the other end of the upper reach of said first endless moving screen for collecting the treated material.

12. Apparatus as in claim l1 wherein said plurality of agitator-s comprises a plurality of rst air knives mounted below said upper reach of said first endless moving screen, said first air knives being adapted to direct air under pressure through said first endless moving screen and against said material, a plurality of second air knives mounted above said lower reach of said second endless moving screen, and said second air knives being adapted to direct air through said second endless moving screen and against said material.

13. Apparatus `for cleaning and classifying fibrous material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising a housing, a first endless moving screen adapted for longitudinal movement through said housing, a second endless moving screen adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, said second endless moving screen being positioned so that the lower reach of said second endless moving screen is adjacent and parallel to but spaced from the upper reach of said first endless moving screen, said adjacent reaches being adapted to move in the same direction, means for separating said space between said adjacent reaches into compartments, means for depositing said fibrous material on one end of said upper reach of said first endless moving screen, means for confining said fibrous material in said compartments between said adjacent reaches of Said endless moving screens, a plurality of pneumatic agitators, said pneumatic agitators being adapted to act on said material during movement with said endless moving screens to transpose said fibrous material from a first position contiguous to one of said screens to a second position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said first position to free said unwanted particles from said material and to clean said endless moving screens so that the freed unwanted particles will pass through said endless moving screens, said endless moving screens being of a predetermined size and mesh so that only particles less than said size and mesh will pass therethrough, means for retaining said brous maten'al in said second position between said repeated agitations, means connected to said housing for removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said endless moving screens, and means at the other end of said rst endless moving screen for removing the cleaned and classified iibers.

114. Apparatus for cleaning and classifying brous material having unwanted particles intermixed therewith and clinging thereto comprising a housing, a first endless moving screen adapted for longitudinal movement through said housing, a second endless moving screen adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, said second endless moving screen being positioned so that the lower reach of said second endless moving screen is adjacent and parallel to but spaced vfrom the upper reach of said iirst endless moving screen, said adjacent reaches being adapted to move in the same direction, means for depositing said fibrous material on one end of said upper reach of said rst endless moving screen, means for conning said brous material between said adjacent reaches of said endless moving screens, a plurality of pneumatic agitators, said pneumatic agitators being adapted to act on said material alternately from opposite directions during movement with said endless moving screens to transpose said fibrous material from a first position contiguous to one of said screens to a second position contiguous to the other of said screens substantially opposite to said rst position to -free said unwanted particles from said material and to clean said endless moving screens so that the freed unwanted particles will pass through said endless moving screens, said endless moving screens being of a predetermined size and mesh so that only particles less than said size and mesh will pass therethrough, means communicating with said housing for removing the freed unwanted particles passing through said endless moving screens, means Jfor retaining said iibrous material in said second position between said repeated agitations, and means at the other end of said first endless moving screen for removing the clean and classiiied ber.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said plurality of pneumatic agitators comprises a plurality of iirst air knives mounted below said upper reach of said iirst endless moving screen, said rst air lknives being adapted to direct air under pressure through said iirst endless moving screen and against said material, a plurality of second air knives mounted above said lower reach of said second endless moving screen, and said second air knives being adapted to direct air through said second endless moving screen and against said material.

16. Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said conlining means comprises an endless foam rubber strip secured to each edge portion of said irst endless moving screen, a plurality of transverse foam rubber strips adapted to join the inner edge portions of said endless foam rubber strips, each of said transverse tfoam rubber strips being spaced a predetermined distance apart, means for retaining said iirst endless moving screen generally in a common plane and means for retaining said second endless moving screen in contiguous relationship with said foam rubber strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,026,432 Dey May 14, 1912 1,510,615 Walsh Oct. 7, 1924 1,932,827 Morris et al. Oct. 311, 1933 1,943,775 Tay-lor Jan. 16, 1934 2,129,214 Hopkins Sept. 6, 1938 2,257,351 Silver Sept. 30, 1941 2,813,306 Sheldon Nov. 19, 1957 

